Smells Like Trouble
SMELLS LIKE TROUBLE
Did you ever notice a strange smell while you are driving and try to play it off as the car next to you at the traffic light? After the third or fourth time smelling it you admit to yourself that your car has acquired its own form of B. O. Here are some smells, with my best literal descriptions, do any of them smell familiar?
Rotten egg smell- a continuous burning-sulfur smell- usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Smell should be emanating from the exhaust. Although it is not an emergency, don’t delay diagnosis and repair. Possible causes are overly rich or lean conditions, air pump or other emission control devices that are inoperative.
Burning resin or asbestos smell- Acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Anyone that has mistakenly driven with their parking brake engaged has smelled this before. Others that may have burned or slipped a clutch getting out of a snow drift also will know this one. A brake drum or caliper that is locked on will cause this smell along with reduced and uneven braking ability. Stop the car and walk around to each wheel, the brake that is stuck on will be obviously more odorous. Have the vehicle towed if that is the case.
Sweet or steamy odor- indicates a coolant leak. If the smell is inside the vehicle and is accompanied by a slight fogging to the windshield, this most likely is a defective heater core. Do your best to keep the windshield clean and have the repair performed as soon as possible. If the smell and steam are under the hood, check the temperature gauge for overheating. If the engine is running hot, shut it off and have it towed. If temperature is normal, drive to a repair shop and have it repaired. If necessary, let the vehicle cool and top off with engine coolant before driving any further. If smell is from the exhaust and is accompanied by thick white smoke, the headgasket and/or cylinder head is no good. Have the vehicle repaired immediately before doing any more engine damage.
Burning plastic or toast smell- often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, do not drive the vehicle until it can be diagnosed. If the smell is accompanied by smoke, shut the ignition off and exit the vehicle. Electrical fires can continue when the engine is off and the key is out of the ignition. Disconnecting the battery is the only sure way to stop the process. When in doubt, remember safety first.
Burning oil- this smell is very toxic and will be joined by blue smoke. Check the oil level first and look for possible oil leaking onto the exhaust, hot engine or exhaust manifold. This smell can be bad for you if breathed in through your heater system. Have any external leaks repaired as soon as possible. Continued driving can blow an engine. Internally burned oil can exit the tailpipe without the typical blue smoke that I describe, therefore it is important to be sure to check the oil regularly. If the vehicle is old and is not worth a new engine or engine rebuild try changing the oil with a heavier weight oil, this may reduce the amount of oil going through the engine.
Gas smell- we all know what that smells like. Gasoline vapor smell after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Let the vehicle sit for 10 minutes before trying to start again. Hold the gas pedal to the floor on cranking to clear a flooded engine. If the odor persists after starting then there must be an external leak. Fuel leaks can be very dangerous and need immediate attention.
So what do you think? Any of these sound, I mean smell familiar?
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